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Missa De Apostolis

Introduction

Isaac’s six-part Missa De Apostolis is based on a selection of Gregorian chants taken from the repertoire of the Feast of the Apostles. It will immediately be noticed that the music follows a number of the unusual and conservative liturgical procedures current in Germany and Austria around 1500, when this music was written. In particular a composer was expected to set the Mass in alternation between chant and polyphony, section by section and in every movement. This turns the Kyrie, for example, into a full invocation in nine separate sections. The chant duly carries straight through from the monophonic verses into the polyphony, appearing in all the different voice-parts at different times as a decorated cantus firmus. This process unfortunately breaks down in the Gloria where it proved impossible to rediscover the chant on which Isaac had based his music, and another one in the same mode had to be substituted. In addition the Credo was not set because it was not then customary to include it as part of the polyphonic Ordinary. In fact Isaac left a large body of separate polyphonic Credo settings, which presumably were used in contemporary services, but none was found to fit this particular chant and vocal scoring. Although his polyphonic sections are constantly being interrupted by statements of unadorned chant, Isaac managed to set his texts on the grandest scale. This unhurried breadth of effect is one of his most valuable artistic achievements.

Recordings

In the early years of the sixteenth century Isaac and Josquin were held to be on the same level of achievement: the two pre-eminent composers in Europe. This is the first recording of Isaac's six-voice Missa De Apostolis.» More

"The Flemish masters have been at the heart of our work from the beginning, just as they were at the heart of the whole Renaissance musical scene—and their Masses were the showcase in which they displayed their most sophisticated achievements. Thi ...» More

The second of three volumes featuring The Tallis Scholars' finest recordings, one for each decade, and each offering over five hours of the award-winning performances that helped establish Renaissance Polyphony as one of the great repertoires of w ...» More

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of goodwill. We praise you. We bless you. We worship you. We glorify you. We give thanks to you for your great glory. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God the Father, O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. You take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you only are holy. You only are the Lord. You only are the most high, Jesus Christ. With the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of goodwill. We praise you. We bless you. We adore you. We glorify you. We give thanks to you for your great glory. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God the Father, O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. You take away the sins of the world; have mercy on us. You take away the sins of the world; receive our prayer. You sit at the right hand of the Father; have mercy on us. For you alone are holy. You alone are the Lord. You alone are the most high, Jesus Christ. With the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of goodwill. We praise you. We bless you. We worship you. We glorify you. We give thanks to you for your great glory. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God the Father, O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. You take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you only are holy. You only are the Lord. You only are the most high, Jesus Christ. With the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.